Carolina Panthers Rookie Cam Jackson Hangs Out With Fans at Charlotte Game Stop Event

On his off day, Carolina Panthers rookie Cam Jackson battled fans in video games at a Northwest Charlotte GameStop. The defensive tackle showed off his gaming skills while meeting local supporters.

The Florida draft pick tested an early release of Madden 26, taking on challengers from the crowd. "Being a football player, I've been doing this a lot. I did it at Florida, and I did it back when I was in school, in high school. It's just, you know, a thing that I like to do. And that me, and my parents, and my team come up with. It's just something that we do," Jackson said, according to Carolina Sports Live.

This break gives him a quick rest before diving back into training. He returns to the field on Monday to prep for upcoming games.

As teams finish their final preseason tasks, players like Jackson mix work with fun. Soon enough, September will bring the rush of real competition.

Next up: Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 16. The preseason clash lets new players show what they can do before games start counting.

Gaming with fans isn't new for Jackson. Since his teenage years, he's kept this tradition alive, from high school through his time at Florida.

Such casual meetups let fans see athletes away from the bright lights. Players drop their game faces and just hang out.

This fits right into the Panthers' push for stronger community bonds. Fresh faces on the team get to know Charlotte better through these events.